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CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
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Wish CHAPTER NINETEEN
I have no plans of going to the director to snitch about Veronica making up rumors about me. Instead, I focus on the classes. And I focus on the other students.And that’s when I begin to notice odd things. During physical classes, most of the classes seem to be durability focused, to see our strength, to push us until we’re exhausted. But while the strength of all the Zeroes seems to vary, it’s the Ones who catch my attention. When Quill said that the Ones were broken into groups, he hadn’t elaborated that they were essentially divided into groups of two: Those who seemed weaker and uncertain, and those who seemed more confident. There was a notable difference between the two groups when it came to strength. I study them during our physical classes.It helps me distract myself from the cold shoulder treatment I’ve been receiving from my own friends. I don’t bear a grudge against Beth or Quill. I don’t really understand their reasoning for ignoring me in the first place, bu
Wish CHAPTER TWENTY
I’ve been arrested once or twice. Usually because I was up to no good.Both times were after Dad died, and both times, I was released with gazes of pity.Back then, I was still angry and defiant.But now, as I sit outside the director’s office, my hands tied behind my back like some common criminal, I feel humiliated and upset.I did nothing wrong.I close my eyes trying to mute out Quill’s shouts, which are still echoing in my ears.“Let her go!”“She didn’t do anything!”Two Level Ones had held him back as he had desperately tried to get to me and Beth, his eyes terrified.He believed me.And yet, I’m still here because Veronica made up lies about me, and I tried to save Beth. The grim-faced counselor standing next to me isn’t telling me anything. I’ve tried to ask about Beth, but all I’m treated with is silence. How long am I supposed to sit here for? The rope is cutting into my skin, but I don’t care about the rough treatment. I’m more concerned about what’s going t
Wish CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
For the next couple of days, I don’t see Beth.If the students were wary of me before, now they’re downright hostile.And it sucks.Nobody will pair up with me during physical classes, and I’ve started eating alone in the mess. It’s one thing to have grown up alone without friends. That loneliness is an acceptable one. But to be in the midst of my own peers and still be shunned like this, despite my best efforts to be nonchalant about it all, I can’t help but feel small.It’s easier to eat outside by myself and despite the cold, I feel calmer.I find a spot under an old tree, near the main building where our classes are held, and I take my lunch there. It’s my third day eating lunch there when a shadow falls over me. I look up, immediately tense, only to see Quill standing there with his own tray, his expression uncomfortable. “Hi,” he says, awkwardly, his knuckles white as he clenches the tray.“Why are you here?” I ask, abruptly.“I saw you weren’t eating at the mess anymore
Wish CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
My eyes are still burning from the sight of Jesse and Veronica making out in the middle of the mess hall as I get off the boat at the Level One island. Cursing under my breath when my right leg gets wet, I wonder what was going on in the head of whoever designed this entire place. Every island gets an interconnecting bridge except ours?Seems like the architect had something against our island.It’s easier to forget about Veronica’s hands all over Jesse when I’m busy being angry with something else entirely.Stomping toward the forest, flashlight in hand, I ignore the cold. This is why I never dated in the first place. Because all boys are scum, in one form or the other. As I locate the temple, I mutter unflattering things under my breath. I should’ve never let myself get caught up in his sweet words and thoughtful gestures. But then again—my hand falters as a thought strikes me—what if he had just been feeling sorry for me this whole time, and I just misinterpreted his kindness
Wish CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
I’m lying on the cold ground with Anderson a few feet from me, his whole body shaking.“W … What happened?” I mumble, groaning as I move.“C … Crazy freak!” Anderson gasps. “That Level three girl—she was right! You’re a freak!”A freak?My memory is dim, and I feel like I’m slowly emerging from a deep haze. I manage to sit up, “W … What’d I do?”I fumble for my flashlight to look at him because he sounds like he’s in pain. When the light lands on him, I wince. “I didn’t do that.”Did I?Anderson looks pretty banged up. I can’t see any visible wounds, but he’s bruised.I struggle to get up as he groans, “Of course you did! You went apeshit crazy! Started throwing me round and screaming!”I help him up, feeling a wave of nausea overtake me as he continues, “And then you fell to the ground, convulsing like you were possessed!”As soon as he’s on his feet, he shakes off my hand, looking pale, “What is wrong with you?!”“I—” I open my mouth before snapping it shut, not knowing wh
Wish CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
I grab a gasping Anderson and move rapidly toward the entrance of the tunnel. He stumbles but follows.I don’t know how we manage to get to the tunnel’s entrance, or how we get to the top, but we’re both out of breath.I fling the trap door close, sinking on top of it, gasping, “We have to—have to tell—”“O … On it!” Anderson looks pale, but his color is still better than before. He’s already reaching in his bag to take out a small, square device with a button on it.He presses it multiple times, muttering, “What was that down there?” “P … Paralyzing agent,” I gasp, still trying to catch my breath.“That’s why I can’t feel my legs,” he mumbles. “They feel stiff.”“It’ll wear off,” I reassure him, my heart still beating like a drum. “But more importantly, I thought the whole point of guard duty was to prevent students from roaming the tunnels. Where would students here get a hold of such powerful stuff?”Anderson immediately casts a suspicious look toward me. “How do you know
Wish CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
“You must be mistaken,” Quill looks pale once I tell him what happened in the tunnels. “Why would Beth be down there?”“I don’t know,” I’m just as confused. Why would Beth go into the tunnels at night? Or at all?!“What if you’re wrong?” Quill demands, stopping me in my tracks as we rush to the tunnels, and forces me to face him. “You can’t be a hundred percent sure that it was Beth!”I stare at him.How can I explain to him this sense of knowing and dread that has been building up inside of me since the moment I heard that scream? “All I’m saying is,” Quill looks tense, “that if Suzie and the counselors are aware of Beth missing, they’ll be looking for her, and they will definitely look in the tunnels.”“They searched the tunnels and found no one.”“Well, then your theory doesn’t make sense!” Quill bursts out. “The counselors checked—”“What part of this place makes sense to you, Quill?!” I raise my voice, my frustration building. “And don’t tell me you haven’t noticed! This
Wish CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
“What?” Quill looks indignant. “Why the heck not?!”Jesse just smirks. “Well, we’re going to need a lookout, won’t we?”I look between the two of them, unable to figure out what their problem is. Annoyed, I look at Jesse. “This isn’t the time for some pissing contest. We need all hands on deck and that’s just us three. And I don’t want to waste time while Beth might be in trouble.”Jesse scowls. “Fine. Go wait by the trees and don’t make a sound.”Quill opens his mouth, clearly annoyed at the authoritative tone, but luckily, he keeps his mouth shut. As we head over to the trees and wait, Jesse doesn’t take long. He is back with flashlights and a sweater.“Put your hands up,” he orders and without thinking, I do so. He immediately tugs the sweater down over my head and arms, adding, “It’s going to get really chilly.”I can’t feel my face turn red, and when I glance at Quill, he has a strange look in his eyes. However, before I can speak, he quickly says, “Well, what are we waiti
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